A singer’s decision to perform the U.S. national anthem in Spanish at a Los Angeles Dodgers game, defying team instructions, has ignited a heated debate over national identity, political protest, and corporate accountability.
At a Glance
- Singer Nezza performed the U.S. national anthem in Spanish despite Dodgers’ request for an English rendition
- She wore a Dominican Republic shirt during the performance
- Nezza stated her choice was a response to recent ICE raids in Los Angeles
- The Dodgers initially reprimanded her but later reversed their stance
- The Spanish translation of the anthem dates to a 1945 U.S. State Department commission
Anthem Choice Sparks Outrage
Singer Nezza’s controversial performance of the national anthem in Spanish at Dodger Stadium last week quickly captured public attention. The Dodgers had specifically requested the anthem be sung in English. According to Los Angeles Times, a team representative reminded her: “We are going to do the song in English today.” Nonetheless, Nezza proceeded with the Spanish version while wearing a Dominican Republic shirt.
She later admitted her decision was influenced by recent immigration enforcement actions in the city. “With everything that’s been happening, I just felt like I needed to stand with my people and show them that I’m with them. I wanted to represent them that day,” Nezza told the Los Angeles Times.
Watch a report: Singer Nezza Sparks Anthem Controversy.
Dodgers Backtrack After Initial Reprimand
Initial reports indicated a stern response from the Dodgers. As Nezza recounted to Variety, she was told, “Don’t ever email us again. Don’t ever call us again. Your clients are never welcome here ever again.” However, this position quickly softened.
In an official statement reported by CNN, a team spokesperson clarified: “She is certainly welcome back at the stadium. She is not banned from the stadium.” The organization also emphasized there were “no hard feelings” regarding her performance.
Debating National Symbols and Inclusion
Nezza’s supporters have cited a 1945 Spanish-language translation of the anthem commissioned by the U.S. State Department as validation. However, critics argue this version was intended for diplomatic contexts, not domestic sports events. The debate has since expanded, with some questioning whether altering national symbols in such public forums fosters division rather than unity.
A related LA Times article captured Nezza’s perspective: “Had they told me you can’t have any Spanish in there, I would have respectfully declined and not shown up on Saturday.” Still, others view the performance as emblematic of a broader trend where traditional norms are set aside to appease identity-driven causes.
As public discourse intensifies, the incident at Dodger Stadium continues to raise questions about the balance between cultural expression, political activism, and the preservation of shared national traditions.
